I can hardly believe my stay in Dubai is coming to an end. I’ll be flying back to Germany tomorrow and just thinking of the cold there makes me shiver. But the 22 – 26 degrees C we’re enjoying here has warmed us up right to the core. Wonders what sunshine does to the soul and mind.

We’re feeling full of life. Not sure if it really is the sun or the shopping or the family or the food or the friends – maybe a bit of all.

Those following me on Twitter and Facebook are keeping up with my busy schedule and a few pictures I’ve been sharing with you. Yes – I have done a bit of shopping but really what’s totally spectacular is the fact that I am having fun meeting friends. I had the pleasure of meeting fellow blogger Komal from Lifealicious and my dear friend (and macaron tester) BS. from Weimar is here spending a few days in Dubai and we’ve been having fun on the beach and exploring the spice souk. However, what I’ve really cherished was meeting my old school friend T.A. T. is the younger sister of my bestest friend N. from our old Doha College days. It’s been almost 20 years! And this week we met again – two gals in their mid thirties chatting like we never missed a day, T. texting and sending pictures to N. in Lebanon. N. we missed you!

Another pretty interesting experience I had was enjoying an evening at my mum’s “kitty party”. Do you know the concept of kitty parties? Well it’s very Asian – Indian more particularly, where ladies get together once a month to enjoy a evening of chit chat, gossip, games and food. Each lady puts a specific amount in a so called “kitty,” which is collected and part of it is paid towards the hotel/restaurant bill. Each month a hostess is chosen and she is responsible to set up the party. So, let’s say I had an interesting evening listening to talk about who’s got the biggest diamonds, the newest daughter-in-law or who’s son/son-in-law has the highest paying job.

Well I do not know about all that – I do know who’s got the richest and best tasting chocolate banana bread around here though – ME!

In three different varieties – au naturel, topped with gorgeous crunchy pistachios and with lovely pink almond praline (courtesy Pam).

One afternoon Jamie and I got together in our kitchens via Skype and decided to bake together. These kind of cakes, loaves and breads are a vital part of my baking repertoire on the weekends as both Soeren and Tom enjoy taking a piece or two with them. Another one of those “hit and run” dishes – you know – I have told you about them before – hit on them and then run! I usually make them in loaf pans as they are easy to store and handle. The recipe below makes about 3 small loaf pans.

The richness and smoothness comes not only from silky chocolate but also a good sprinkling of cocoa powder. It’s kept moist and tender with the addition of ripe bananas. Together they make an unbeatable pair in giving a deep and rich flavor to the cake/bread.

Heat oven to 180 degrees C. Butter and line 3 small loaf pans with baking paper and set aside.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water.

Cream butter and sugar until creamy, fluffy and pale. Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between each addition.

Sift flour, baking powder and cocoa powder and fold into the the wet ingredients using a spatula.

Add mashed bananas and melted chocolate and fold well.

Divide mixture between the three pans, top one with pistachios, the other with the pink almond praline and leave one plain. Bake for about 30-45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool on a rack, then wrap in baking paper or foil.

- The loaves will stay fresh and really moist for 3 to 4 days kept in an airtight container. - Make double the recipe and freeze the loaves. If you cut them in slices before freezing you can easily take individual slices out a few hours prior to eating.

Verdict

These are probably not going to last too long so I really recommend making a double portion. Why not? They freeze so well and will be devoured in no time. It’s simply irresistible and moist and ohhh so chocolaty. I love the flavor or bananas in cakes and loaves, together with deep chocolate the loaf takes on a wonderful new dimension.

Jamie is hosting this month’s Monthly Mingle and has chosen Bread & Chocolate as her theme. A fantastic pairing I think and here is my offering! Make sure you join us you still have a few days so pop over to Jamie’s lovely blog and check out all the details!

It’s hard to leave such gorgeous weather behind. But looking forward to seeing Tom again and spending a nice Valentine’s with him – mmmmm! ;o)

Come back next week and I’ll take you on a high flying trip to Dubai in pictures with me. Have a good one!

Lol...kitty parties! I had to sit through one of those way back when I was in school and my mom couldn't find me a babysitter. Imagine being stuck in a room with 20-25 women, all of whom are talking at the top of their voices about thongs! My only consolation that day was that the restaurant was nearly empty and no one noticed a red-faced 11 year old girl sinking into her chair with embarrassment. Anyways, the bread looks so festive, I love it!

Hope you had a great trip. Absolutely amazing background use. I was just putting together a post for on light and background in food photography and this seems a great example for the message in the post. I am linking this post for its photograph.

This banana bread recipe sounds so delicious. I am going to try the au nature. Those kitty parties sound like something we do here. We girlfriends meet once a month for breakfast and take turns hosting it. In addition everybody brings something. It is always fun and we look forward to it every month. I think I will bring your banana bread next time and see what they think.thanks for sharing your lovely recipes and all your stories. I really enjoy reading your blog.herzliche grüße aus der Mitte DeutschlandsChrista

Meeta;Do you remember how many cups or what weight of bananas you added to your chocolate bread? Bananas vary widely in size and I want to follow your recipe as closely as possible...it looks tempting. thanks.

All three look so wonderful! But so dangerous... if I had three different loaves around, I'd have to keep trying each one! And the pink almond praline - so pretty and so much more exciting than, well, anything non-pink!

SOudns like a wonderful time away and I'd never heard of "kitty parties" before :) The kids won't eat banana bread but this sounds perfect for disguising the fact that it is banana bread! Definitely going to try these out as they look so scrumptious!

You know I love banana bread, a lot. And of course I always make it with chocolate chunks, but I've never made a whole chocolate bread with banana in it, although do muffins count? They were goooood. They look delicious.

Well I for one am glad you are back on my Continent. You were too far away. And I am thrilled that i get to see this fab bread that I helped you bake! Scrumptious. And I so love the gorgeous way you decorated the loaves. I am so trying this recipe. It does look so moist and rich. Yum! Thanks for sending this to my MM!

It's nice to know that you really enjoyed your stay in Dubai and you had an unforgettable experiences their. Well, your chocolate banana breads was absolutely awesome. The combination of the flavors really makes this cake more delicious. Thanks for the post...:)

Lol I can't imagine you sitting through a kitty party. I hate them! I will never be a part of them when I grow up! The breads look delicious! And pink praline appeals to me oh so much. Where do I find it?

Holy, moly, now THAT'S what I call chocolate banana bread (i.e. a lot more chocolate than banana!). My choice would be the pistachio one. I have some pink pralines lurking in my cupboard - maybe this is the way to use them up :

Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hello, I am Meeta a freelance food photographer, stylist and writer living in the cuturally rich city of Weimar, Germany with my husband and our son, where I enjoy preparing multi-cultural home cooked meals with fresh organic ingredients. What's for lunch, Honey? is my award winning food blog where I combine my love for food with my love for photography and styling...